Georgia's Growth Agenda: Five Critical Areas for Development

Georgia is a beautiful state with a diverse set of resources and opportunities. However, the state faces specific critical issues that may warrant targeted developmental efforts. It was against this background that I was able to work on a project to gain insights into the most pressing concerns among Georgia residents. I worked with other researchers and used the Delphi technique along with thematic analysis to put the critical issues facing this state into five key themes. We believe these themes help to establish a groundwork for strategic action and informed decision-making.

Major Themes and Critical Issues:

Investment in Youth and Adults:

• Building the workforce of the future through strong educational programs is essential.

• The potential contained in the youth can be tapped into through active leadership development programs.

• It’s important to pair vocational programs to market demands in order to re-skill and empower the workforce effectively.

Agricultural and Rural Economic Development:

• Agriculture in Georgia requires ongoing support and innovation, as this sector remains a critical component of the economy in the state.

• Economic gains can be enjoyed through the practical and strategic application of new agricultural technologies and practices.

• Improvements in local challenges might be addressed by vocational training that has been tailored specifically to rural needs.

Agriculture and Food Safety Information:

• The current level of public trust in agricultural information needs improvement.

• Agricultural resilience, as well as safety, can be improved through greater awareness of agricultural innovations.

• Communication can improve when stronger networks focus on trust and shared values.

Resource Access and Availability:

• There are challenges around food insecurity and water usage throughout the state.

• Natural resources should be managed strategically to ensure long term availability.

• The distribution of resources needs to be achieved through appropriate policy design.

Social and Personal Economic Concerns:

• Economic stability can be improved through leadership programming and improved financial literacy.

• Demographics in Georgia are shifting older, meaning more planned support and services are needed.

• Strong social networks will help bring communities together and foster lasting economic growth.

The Community Capitals Framework uses a holistic approach to problem-solving that brings a broad lens to these issues. Understanding the many different types of capital at play, including human, natural, and financial, will help policy makers use its available resources to achieve a higher quality of life for residents. Using a strategic approach will both deal with current problems and also position the state to successfully take advantage of future opportunities. I've included the full manuscript below if you would like to learn more. Please be sure to share your insights using the comments.

GeorgiaCriticalIssues.pdf

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Powell, A., Lamm, K. W., Borron, A., & Lamm, A. J. (2023). Critical issues facing Georgia residents: An application of the delphi technique and community capitals framework. Journal of Agricultural Education, 64(4), 76-95. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.v64i4.102